Japanese PM expresses sympathy with Korean victims of colonial rule

Fumio Kishida pays reciprocal visit to Yoon Suk-yeol as rows over Japanese occupation are soothed

Japan's prime minister has expressed sympathy for the suffering of Korean forced labourers during Japan's colonial rule, as he and his South Korean counterpart renewed their resolve to overcome historical grievances and strengthen cooperation in the face of shared challenges such as North Korea's nuclear programme.

Comments by the Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, on Sunday during his second summit in less than two months with the South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, are being closely watched in Seoul.